Medics Make Music to Raise Blood Pressure

BRUCH’S Violin Concerto is a wonderfully romantic creation, and is virtually guaranteed to raise the blood pressure during its most passionate moments.

Well, even if this is the case, there’s certainly no need for concern when Natalya Zeman performs it on Sunday October 12 in the Theatre 1, Roland Levinsky Building at 5.30pm, as she will be accompanied by the newly-formed Peninsula Doctors’ Orchestra!

Simon Ible, Director of Peninsula Arts and guest conductor, said: “As the University of Plymouth’s public arts programme, Peninsula Arts is keen to support new musical initiatives emerging from within the community, I am very excited to work with our regional medics.

“It is equally important that we nurture developing talent, and Natalya will surely prove a worthy soloist.”

After first studying in Scotland, Natalya moved to Wells Cathedral School, and will now continue her musical education at the Royal College of Music. The programme opens with Sibelius’s Finlandia, includes Klaus Badelt’s Pirates of the Caribbean, and ends with the rousing finale from Dvork’s New World Symphony. Admission is free, and the audience is invited to make a parting donation in aid of the Early Bird Diabetes Trust and Peninsula medical research in childhood diabetes.

Earlier the same day, in the Great Hall Dartington at 2.30pm, the UK’s longest-established chamber orchestra, the London Mozart Players makes its first-ever visit to Dartington, with a programme featuring Haydn’s Passion Symphony, Elgar’s Serenade for Strings, and Mozart’s Symphony No 29.

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of Vaughan Williams’s death, the orchestra, under the baton of David Juritz, is also including the composer’s Greensleeves Fantasia, and Oboe Concerto with soloist, Gareth Hulse. Tickets (pounds16 / pounds15 concessions / pounds5 children & students) are available from the Box Office (01803 847070), online (www.dartington.org/arts), and at the door, subject to being unsold.

The next recital in the Kelly College Series in the Melvin Hall on Wednesday October 16 at 7.45pm, features flautist, Judith Hall and Deian Rowlands (harp). Tickets (pounds9 / pounds7 Senior Citizens / accompanied under 18s free) are available at the door. For further information, and to buy a series subscription, please contact 01822 813162.

If you can’t make it to Tavistock, then there’s a further opportunity to hear Judith on Saturday October 18, when she joins forces again with Australian classical guitarist, Craig Ogden, at the City Museum at 7pm, followed by a supper, in aid of the War Child charity. Also appearing will be clarinettist, Peter Cigleris, soprano, Gemma Dudgeon, and Margaret Bowhay (piano). Tickets (pounds12 concert only / pounds10 optional supper) and further information are available from Jeanie Moore (01752 770345).

Meanwhile, across the Tamar, there’s a great opportunity to hear National Champions, Camborne Youth Brass Band, in Night of the Proms the same evening, Saturday October 18, in Saltash Wesley Methodist Church at 7.30pm.

Organiser, Sue Hooper, said: ‘Hurry and buy your tickets as last year was a sell-out! There were several standing ovations, so don’t forget to bring along your hats and flags again!’ Tickets (pounds6) are available from Piglets, and Saltash Radio, or direct from Sue (01752 843073). If choral music is more to your liking, then West Devon Chorale presents a varied programme at Tavistock Parish Church, or for Baroque fans, flautist, Ashley Solomon, and Terence Charlston (harpsichord) appear at St Mary’s Church, Totnes, again on Saturday October 18 and at 7.30pm. Further details in next week’s column, or visit Plymouth Classical Music Concert Diary (www.plyclassical.co.uk).